Nawaloka Air Services awarded franchise partner status by SriLankan Aviation College

SriLankan Airlines CEO Captain Suren Ratwatte (fifth from left) and Nawaloka Holdings Chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa at the ceremony 

SriLankan Aviation College has appointed Nawaloka Air Services as its franchise partner. The new partnership intends to expand aviation training countywide, providing invaluable opportunities for young Sri Lankans in all four provinces to embark upon rewarding careers in the global air transport and hospitality industries.

The franchise agreement was signed recently at the corporate headquarters of SriLankan Airlines in Colombo by SriLankan Airlines CEO Captain Suren Ratwatte and Nawaloka Holdings Chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa. 

SriLankan Aviation College (SLAC), the training arm of SriLankan Airlines, is ranked by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as one of the Top Ten aviation training centres in the world. It is a Regional Training Partner of IATA, and has also received certification from the European Union EASA. Each of the new provincial centres will have accreditation from IATA, the global body that drives standards and education in the aviation industry. 

Capt. Ratwatte said: “We are delighted to appoint Nawaloka Air Services Ltd. as our franchise partner, a subsidiary of one of Sri Lanka’s most reputed diversified corporate houses – Nawaloka Holdings. It was selected from among a number of companies which responded to SLAC’s call for applications for a franchise partner.”

Jayantha Dharmadasa said: “We are proud to be the chosen franchisee partner of SriLankan Airlines in its Aviation College expansion. I would like to re-affirm our commitment and support to SriLankan Aviation College towards a successful business expansion in the aviation industry.”

The first franchise centre will be opened in Galle, followed by others in Batticaloa, Jaffna and Kandy. A diverse range of academic programs will be offered at these franchises, including: IATA/FIATA Introduction to Cargo; IATA/UFTAA Foundation Diploma in Travel and Tourism; IATA/UFTAA Consultancy Diploma in Travel and Tourism; Harvard Leadership and Management Diploma; Advanced Certificate in Airline Marketing; National Certificate in Aviation Management; National Diploma in Aviation Management; and Aircraft Maintenance Category A 1.

SriLankan Aviation College General Manager Primal De Silva added: “SLAC is already expanding its services to clients in the aviation industry throughout Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and the appointment of a franchisee to take our programs to several major provinces in Sri Lanka is yet another milestone.”

SLAC (www.srilankanaviationcollege.com) was launched in 2013, bringing together more than three decades of experience of the National Carrier in all aspects of aviation training. Located at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, it provides a wide range of programmes through its six faculties – Travel and Tourism; Airport Services; Cargo and Dangerous Goods Regulations; Image Consultancy; Aircraft Maintenance Avionics; and Aircraft Maintenance Mechanical.

Last year, it gained global recognition when it was granted associate membership in the prestigious TRAINAIR PLUS program of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It is already recognised by international bodies such as IATA, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the Civil Aviation Authorities of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan. SLAC presently operates a franchise in the Maldives and proposes to extend its operations to the Seychelles.